I Became an Artist in a Romantic Comedy

Chapter 43: Sports Day (2)

It must be because this is a private school, but ours is ridiculously spacious.

It wouldn’t be fair to call it the size of a university campus—more like half of one. Still, it’s enormous compared to regular schools.

There are several peculiar things about our school, one of which is the athletic facilities.

We have three sports fields and two gymnasiums.

The gymnasiums aren’t just for the PE department; the Performing Arts and other departments use them as well.

Why are there so many sports fields and gymnasiums? I wouldn’t know; ask the chairman.

But enough with the side talk—why am I rambling on about this?

“They just finished the opening ceremony, and they’re starting matches already?”

“They say it’s a long-standing tradition at Sa Jong Arts High.”

“Well, at least they’re efficient.”

Currently, all three sports fields are being used simultaneously to run different matches.

They’re hosting soccer, basketball, and tee-ball, respectively. While it’s a time-saving strategy, doesn’t it feel a bit much?

Thankfully, after the opening ceremony, we were given free time. You only needed to worry about your own events, and you could spend the rest of the time wandering around or watching other matches.

For example, if it looked like your team was losing in soccer, you could just leave.

Not that I’d do such a thing, of course—it’s just a hypothetical.

The opening ceremony included a joint performance by the Performing Arts and Music Departments, which was stunning.

I can confidently say it was a performance worthy of admiration.

No wonder this school is considered elite.

Some people even gave standing ovations and called for encores.

But now, it’s free time. The current time is 9 a.m.

The morning schedule focuses on major events like soccer, basketball, and tee-ball. Among these, I’m looking forward to table tennis and badminton—because they’re indoors.

There’s air conditioning.

Even foot volleyball is played indoors, making it another appealing option.

Call it pragmatic thinking.

I was melting in the outdoor heat, so heading to the gymnasium seemed like the only sane option.

“If it’s this hot in April, how much worse is summer going to get?”

I dreaded the thought.

Gathering a few others who didn’t have matches yet, we headed to the gymnasium.

My companions included Ha Soyeol, Lee Doyoon, and Baek Yuseol.

Ha Soyeol’s first event was the relay race, scheduled just before lunch. Until then, she had free time.

Instead of letting her roam around like a stray cat, I figured it was better to keep her with me.

Lee Doyoon and Baek Yuseol followed along without complaint. They were participating in the same event: indoor hockey.

Since it was in the gymnasium, I planned to at least cheer them on.

Of course, I’d secretly be rooting for our class.

We passed by the first floor, where a table tennis match was underway, and headed up to the second floor to find seats.

“This doesn’t feel like a sports day—it’s more like a university festival.”

On the way to the gymnasium, we saw food trucks and even families and students from other schools.

Normally, the school feels empty because of its size, but today, the crowd made it seem bustling.

The packed gymnasium was proof enough.

“Good thing there’s no COVID in this world.”

Unlike my past life, this love-comedy world seemed free of pandemics like SARS or MERS.

The four of us sat near the railing in the front row and watched the table tennis match.

As expected, only teams with PE students advanced, and the champion also came from the PE department.

However, disputes arose depending on which department the champion represented.

“Oh, come on, the Creative Writing Department again? Those bookworms got lucky.”

“Yeah, they’re just coasting on good fortune this time.”

“Didn’t that guy dope earlier? I swear I saw him chugging an energy drink before the match. Check his pockets!”

It was amusing to watch these petty arguments and the factions that emerged in response.

“Which side are you betting on, Eun?”

“What are you talking about? I’m not betting on anything.”

Ha Soyeol was trying to drag me into her imaginary gambling ring. No thanks.

Ignoring her nonsense, I waited for the next match—foot volleyball.

Foot volleyball is especially fun to watch because a single mistake can make someone the scapegoat.

People like me, who don’t play but enjoy criticizing, find it thrilling.

“Hey, moron—pfft! Ha-ha-ha! That guy’s hilarious.”

“Idiot! Learn to aim, will you? What kind of shot was that?”

“Pure luck? More like no luck!”

The peanut gallery was alive with commentary, and I almost joined in before stopping myself.

“Oh, right—I don’t have any friends outside of this group.”

If a random classmate heard me shouting, things could get awkward fast. Better to keep quiet.

Glancing at Ha Soyeol, I noticed her intently focused on the game.

I knew she liked sports, but I didn’t realize her interests were this broad—

“Looks tasty…”

Wait. She wasn’t watching the game; her eyes were glued to a player chewing on an energy bar.

Of course.

“Didn’t you eat breakfast?”

“No… They told me to manage my weight for the relay.”

“Still, you can’t skip meals entirely.”

I pulled three ABC chocolates from my pocket and handed them to her.

Her eyes lit up so much it was almost pitiful.

For the record, I wasn’t wearing my sports uniform. There was no way I’d wear that spinach-green abomination.

Instead, I’d thrown on some lightweight athletic wear from home. Even someone like Ha Soyeol, who didn’t care about fashion, had shaken her head at the uniform’s design.

“How much do you weigh right now?”

Curious, I asked.

“…Hmm.”

She hesitated, then shyly crossed her arms over herself. What was that supposed to mean?

“It’s rude to ask, Eun.”

“Oh, fine.”

Judging by her slim frame, she probably didn’t weigh more than 60 kilograms.

“60? Up or down?”

“…Down. Eun, you’re such a perv.”

Good enough. It’s a healthy weight.

The conversation drifted into meaningless banter until it was time for Lee Doyoon and Baek Yuseol’s indoor hockey match.

“Good luck out there.”

“See you later!”

The two nodded at our good wishes and headed off.

Predictably, the PE students dominated the match. Doyoon’s Performing Arts team clinched the victory.

When they returned, their mood was good, except for Baek Yuseol, who seemed a bit sulky.

Watching Doyoon fuss over her with concern made me feel a bit queasy.

“I don’t mind guys being affectionate, but seeing it as a guy myself… it’s unsettling.”

“Go shower, both of you. You’ll feel grosser the longer you wait.”

At my suggestion, they quickly parted ways to clean up. This school even had showers.

Time passed, and it was almost lunchtime when my phone buzzed.

Leaving the gymnasium, I told Doyoon and Yuseol to stay behind.

Soyeol and I left for two reasons: the relay race and a visitor who had arrived to see us.

“Mom~!”

With a drowsy voice, Soyeol ran out and hugged someone tightly.

It was Yoo Ji-hye, her mother. And alongside her—

“Phew, this weather’s killing me…”

—was Mom.

Seeing them together made it clear: Mom looked much younger than the other parents.

She could easily pass for someone 15 years younger. How does she do it? Even Ji-hye looks youthful, but not as much as Mom.

“Why didn’t you bring a parasol?”

“Your sister took it when she left for school…”

Well, if Yoon took it, nothing could be done.

“You should’ve bought a few extra when I told you to.”

“Should’ve listened to my son. I’ll buy some on the way back…”

“By the way, the relay’s about to start. Want to watch from here or head inside?”

The two of them put their heads together in thought.

“Well, since my daughter’s running, I should stay here.”

“Then I’ll go in with Eun—”

“Oh, come on, that’s too mean!”

Ji-hye playfully glared at Mom, who laughed and waved her off.

“Just kidding! Of course, I’ll stay to watch Soyeol run.”

Mom eventually gave in, but finding seats in the blazing heat was a challenge.

“At least there could’ve been some shade…”

Mom’s grumbling continued, directed right into my ear.

“Are you asking for my parasol?”

“Hehe, please, son?”

How is she 40?

Resigned, I returned to the classroom for the parasol and grabbed a blanket for the ground too.

By the time I returned, Soyeol was already running.

“She’s insanely fast. I didn’t think she had any visible muscles, but it’s all hidden strength.”

Despite her slim appearance, her body was packed with lean muscle.

After finishing the race and securing first place, Soyeol ran back with a bright smile.

The next event was Lucky OX Golden Bell, a trivia-based game perfect for the break before lunch.

It ended amid a mix of cheers and groans.

“Those questions were a joke—total cakewalk.”

“Yeah, right. What about that one asking for Leibniz’s favorite fork design?!”

“That’s why it’s called Lucky OX. It’s all about luck!”

For most of us, though, luck was nowhere to be found.